House immigration group reaches a deal

May 16th, 2013by Associated Press in Local - Breaking News

WASHINGTON - Members of a bipartisan House group working on a comprehensive immigration bill say they have an agreement in principal. The lawmakers did not provide details as they left a two-hour meeting Thursday evening, but said they would be working on drafting the measure.

The development comes after talks among the eight-member group dragged on for months and appeared to stall over disputes including temporary workers and health care for immigrants being granted legal status under the legislation.

Republican Rep. John Carter of Texas said earlier Thursday that there was consideration of moving forward with a bipartisan bill without the health care provision.

The House group has been under pressure to produce their plan so they could add their voice to a debate that has focused on the Senate.